Chapter 117: Verifying The Secret Behind The Orphanage
The words should have brought relief or excitement, but instead, they only intensified the dread Linsley had felt for months.
He glanced at Ted and Lucy, who exchanged worried looks. They were as uneasy as he was.
Linsley's mind raced. He had gathered enough information to know that this so-called "adoption" wasn't as innocent as it seemed.
Children who left with their "families" were never seen again.
Whatever the director and his mysterious associates were involved in, it was clearly something far more sinister than simple child trafficking.
Still, Linsley decided to take the risk. Escaping now would be easy enough for him, but it would mean abandoning Ted and Lucy, and that wasn't something he was willing to do. Besides, this was all part of the simulation. Even if things went sideways, he could always try again and no harm would truly be done.
With a calculated look in his eyes, Linsley smiled faintly at the director. "We're ready," he said, his tone calm and composed.
The director gave a brief nod, turning his back to them. "Good. You leave tomorrow morning."
As they left the office, Linsley felt the weight of the next phase of his plan settle on him. Tomorrow, they would step into the unknown, and Linsley was prepared to find out exactly what the dark secrets of this world were.
He had spent a year quietly building up his strength, learning all he could, and now he was ready to see how deep the corruption went.
Whatever waited for them, Linsley knew one thing: he wouldn't let Ted and Lucy become victims. This was a simulation, but for him, it was a chance to understand the Diviner World's true nature.
And he would not fail.
…
The next morning came quickly, tension thick in the air as Linsley, Ted, and Lucy gathered their belongings.
The other children watched them with a mix of envy and dread—envy for the opportunity to be "adopted," but a deep, unspoken dread because everyone knew what adoption truly meant here.
The director arrived at dawn, accompanied by a tall man in a dark suit.
The man's cold, expressionless face made no attempt to comfort the children as he motioned for them to follow him to a black van parked just outside.
Ted and Lucy exchanged nervous glances, while Linsley, already accustomed to such situations, remained calm. His mind, however, was in overdrive, analyzing every detail of the situation.
As they climbed into the van, he noted the tinted windows and the tense atmosphere. The man in the suit sat in the front, while another man, similarly dressed, took the wheel.
They traveled for hours, the landscape beyond the darkened glass a mystery. Ted fidgeted next to Linsley, while Lucy sat quietly, her hands clenched in her lap.
The silence was thick with unease.
"Where do you think we're going?" Ted whispered, his voice trembling.
"I don't know," Linsley replied, keeping his voice calm despite knowing full well this wasn't an ordinary adoption.
He didn't want to scare them just yet.
As the van continued its journey, Linsley mentally reviewed his talents. Physical Immortality (Gold) was his greatest advantage—it meant no matter what happened, he couldn't physically die.
Martial Arts Grandmaster (Purple) would give him an edge if he had to fight, but his frail child's body was still a major drawback. He had power, but it was like wielding a heavy sword with a broken arm.
His biggest concern, though, was Ted and Lucy. They had no talents, no powers, just ordinary children—vulnerable and scared.
…
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the van stopped.
The doors swung open, revealing a massive, remote compound, surrounded by tall fences and patrolling guards.
Linsley's suspicion deepened. This was no family home.
"Welcome," the man in the suit said coldly. "This is your new home."
Ted's face paled. "Linsley... this doesn't feel right."
Linsley gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Stay close to me. We'll figure this out."
They were led through the compound's gates and into a large building.
Inside, the air was sterile and cold, the metallic walls lined with medical equipment.
White-coated scientists moved about with eerie detachment, their gazes cold and clinical as they assessed the children.
Linsley's suspicions were confirmed. This wasn't an adoption—it was an experiment.
The man in the suit led them deeper into the building, eventually arriving at a heavy, reinforced door. He opened it and gestured for them to enter.
Beyond the door was a stark, white room, lit by fluorescent lights.
In the center were glass cells, and inside, Linsley saw other children, some as young as Ted and Lucy, others older—teenagers and even young adults, all locked inside their individual cells, most with haunted looks in their eyes. Continue your journey on мѵʟ
As they were herded into a shared cell, Linsley noticed three older children already sitting inside. His eyes widened in recognition—they were from the same orphanage.
They had been "adopted" months ago, but clearly, they hadn't gone far.
Ted and Lucy noticed too.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
"Aren't they..." Lucy started, her voice shaking.
"Yeah," Linsley said quietly. "They are."
One of the older boys, his face gaunt and eyes hollow, looked up at them with a grim expression. "You're next," he said softly, his voice tinged with fear. "We all are."
Linsley's mind raced. He could intervene now, protect Ted and Lucy, but what good would it do?
He might escape on his own, but bringing them along was another story.
Besides, this was just a simulation. Nothing here was set in stone.
If he allowed things to play out, he might gain invaluable insight into the Diviner World's powers and structure.
For now, Linsley decided to wait. It might be cruel to Ted and Lucy, but in the grand scheme, they wouldn't remember any of this when the simulation ended. They were pawns in the game, but Linsley was aiming for a far bigger prize.
The heavy door shut behind them, sealing the room in cold silence.
The three older children shifted uncomfortably, their eyes darting toward the observation window on the far side of the room.
Ted tugged on Linsley's sleeve. "What's going to happen to us?"